Antenna for wearable electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A wearable electronic device includes a first member and a second member. The second member includes a first, RF-attenuating, portion and a second, electrically conductive portion. A gap exists between the first member and at least the second portion of the second member. One or more transmitter/receivers, such as one or more BLUETOOTH®, BLUETOOTH® low energy, and/or IEEE 802.11 transceivers may be mounted in the first member. The one or more transmitter/receivers are conductively coupled to the second portion of the second member. RF signals generated by the one or more transceivers are emitted from the second portion of the second member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/193,356 filed on Jun. 27, 2016, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to antennas useful with wearableelectronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Current trends in the connected wearable world lean towards multipleconnectivity functions to enrich user experiences within a very limiteddesign volume provided by most wearable electronic devices. In order toprovide differentiation in an increasingly crowded market segment,industrial designers have gravitated towards the use of exotic and/orprecious materials (e.g., titanium, high-grade stainless alloys, gold,silver, platinum, and similar) for the body or housing of the electronicdevice to provide an aesthetically pleasing and attractive exteriorfinish. Typically, the wearable electronic device wirelessly connects toother local devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, or otherwearable devices using communications protocols such as BLUETOOTH® (BT),BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE), and Near Field Communications (NFC). Inaddition, the wearable electronic device may also connect to wide areanetworks (e.g., the Internet via IEE 802.11) and may, in addition,receive stand-alone satellite content (e.g., global positioning data viaGPS/GLONASS/Galileo). The demands placed on the antenna systems used insuch small form factor wearable electronic devices are extreme,demanding exceptional antenna performance to provide a favorable userexperience when disposed proximate the user's body or closely wornapparel.

Modern electronic designs increasingly rely upon the use of touchscreensto provide a compact input/output (I/O) interface that provides thedevice user with an intuitive interaction with the device.Unfortunately, the digital touch module (DTM) used to providetouchscreen capabilities, typically introduce significant losses inantenna efficiency. The indium tin oxide (ITO) layers used infabricating the DTM is a relatively lossy conductor (e.g., 150Ω/□) andhigh E-fields produced by the antennas disposed proximate a portion ofthe device the device couple to the DTM causing losses that often exceed10 dB. It is believed the coupling of E-fields is due mainly to the factthat the top portion of the device body or housing radiates and producesa relatively high current proximate the glass surface of the DTM. Thetop portion of the device is preferred to minimize the user introducedlosses, i.e. hand loss for a wearable device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of various embodiments of the claimed subjectmatter will become apparent as the following Detailed Descriptionproceeds, and upon reference to the Drawings, wherein like numeralsdesignate like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative wearable electronic device that includesa multi-piece housing that includes at least a first member and anoperably coupled second member separated by a gap, in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a system that includesillustrative wearable electronic device mounted on an arm of a deviceuser, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of another illustrative wearable electronicdevice that includes an electrically conductive shield member and a NearField Communication (NFC) antenna disposed between thetransmitter/receiver and the RF-attenuating first portion of the secondmember, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of another illustrative wearable electronicdevice that includes a second member that having second portion thatincludes a plurality of segments and a plurality of electricallyconductive members conductively coupling the one or moretransmitter/receivers to respective ones of the segments, in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a cross-section of an illustrative wearable electronic devicein the form of a wristwatch that includes a shield member disposedbetween the transmitter/receiver and the second member, in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is an exploded view cross-section of the example wristwatchdepicted in FIG. 5A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method forproducing an electronic device that includes a housing that includes afirst member that includes a transmitter/receiver and a second memberthat includes a first RF-attenuating portion and a second conductiveportion that is separated from the first member by a gap, in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method forproducing an electronic device that includes a shield memberconductively coupled to at least some of the second portion of thesecond member and includes a number of electrically conductive membersconductively coupling the one or more transmitter/receivers to theshield member, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with referencebeing made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modificationsand variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods described herein provides a new and innovativeantenna topology that enables BLUETOOTH®; BLUETOOTH Low Energy, IEEE802.11, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and NFC antennas tooperate in the relatively small form factor in the presence of a DTMmodule provided by most wearable electronic devices. The systems andmethods described herein radiate the electromagnetic signal produced bythe antenna systems in the wearable electronic device away from the bodyof the device user. In embodiments, on version of the antenna systemsand methods described herein radiate similar to a top-loaded monopoleantenna system designed to use two conductors within an Internet ofthings (IoT) device. The IoT device includes a conductive top portionand a conductive bottom portion with a limited radio frequency (RF)opening on the top of the device.

The systems and methods described herein provide single- or multi-bandantennas in an IoT device constructed with a full-metallic body and alimited RF opening in the presence of a DTM. The systems and methodsdescribed herein provide significant and innovative advances overcurrent systems and methods used in wearable electronic device. Theseadvances include: antennas located away from the user's skin surface tominimize absorption losses and improve antenna radiation efficiency. Thesystems and methods described herein further minimize the lossesattributable to a DTM positioned proximate the transmitter/receiver andrequires minimal opening in the metal housing of the wearable electronicdevice.

In embodiments, the systems and devices described herein make use of aconductive shield positioned between the DTM and thetransmitter/receiver. The conductive shield is electrically conductivelycoupled to the upper portion (usually a cosmetic portion) of thewearable electronic device. In some implementations, an NFC antenna maybe positioned between the DTM and the conductive shielding to providephysical support and enable certain user experiences. The top and bottomportions of the wearable electronic device are separated by a gapenabling antenna to radiate and also useful for improving antennaperformance. The GNSS and BLUETOOTH/Wi-Fi antenna(s) are fed directlyfrom a corresponding transmitter/receiver to the conductive shield usingelectrical contacts.

A wearable electronic device is provided. The wearable electronic devicemay include a multi-piece housing that includes at least a first memberworn proximate a user's body, and an operably coupled, electricallyisolated, second member, where the second member includes at least afirst portion that includes a material that attenuates radio frequencyenergy and a second portion that includes an electrically conductivematerial; and where a gap physically separates the first member from atleast the second portion of the second member. The wearable electronicdevice may also include a transmitter/receiver disposed at leastpartially within the first member and at least one conductive memberconductively coupling the transmitter/receiver to the second portion ofthe second member.

A radio frequency (RF) signal transmission method using a wearableelectronic device is provided. The method may include disposing atransmitter/receiver at least partially in a first member of a wearablemulti-piece electronic device housing; operably coupling a second memberof the multi-piece electronic device housing to the first member, thesecond member electrically isolated from the first member, the secondmember including at least a first portion that includes a material thatattenuates radio frequency energy and a second portion that includes anelectrically conductive material; separating at least the second portionof the second member from the first member via a gap; and conductivelycoupling the second portion of the second member to thetransmitter/receiver via at least one conductive member.

A radio frequency (RF) signal transmission system using a wearableelectronic device is provided. The system may include a means fordisposing a transmitter/receiver at least partially in a first member ofa wearable multi-piece electronic device housing, a means for operablycoupling a second member of the multi-piece electronic device housing tothe first member, the second member electrically isolated from the firstmember, the second member including at least a first portion thatincludes a material that attenuates radio frequency energy and a secondportion that includes an electrically conductive material, a means forseparating at least the second portion of the second member from thefirst member via a gap; and a means for conductively coupling the secondportion of the second member to the transmitter/receiver via at leastone conductive member.

As used herein, the term “wearable electronic device” refers to anyelectronic device capable of being attached, affixed, or placedproximate at least a portion of the device user's body. Example wearableelectronic devices may include, but are not limited to, eyewear (e.g.,Google Glass®, Google, Inc. Mountain View, Calif.); pendants, bracelets,braces, broaches, rings, watches, and similar wearable devices orfashion appurtenances.

As used herein, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” “upward,”“downward,” “upwardly,” “downwardly” and similar directional termsshould be understood in their relative and not absolute sense. Thus, acomponent described as being “upwardly displaced” may be considered“laterally displaced” if the device carrying the component is rotated 90degrees and may be considered “downwardly displaced” if the devicecarrying the component is inverted.

Such implementations should be considered as included within the scopeof the present disclosure.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or”is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative wearable electronic device 100 thatincludes a multi-piece housing that includes at least a first member 102and an operably coupled second member 110 separated by a gap 130, inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Asdepicted in FIG. 1, the second member 110 may include a first portion112 that includes one or more materials capable of attenuating a radiofrequency (RF) signal and an electrically conductive second portion 114.One or more transmitter/receivers 104 are at least partially disposedin, on, or about the first member 102. One or more electricallyconductive contacts 120 conductively couple the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104 to the electrically conductive second portion114 of the second member 110.

The first member 102 may form at least a portion of the external housingof the wearable electronic device 100. For example, the first member 102may include, but is not limited to, a watch case that contains at leastsome of the mechanical and/or electromechanical components used toprovide a timepiece. In embodiments, the first member 102 may include afloor 106 partially or completely surrounded by a perimeter wall 108that forms a partially enclosed void space 109 within the first member102. The first member 102 may be fabricated using one or more conductivematerials including one or more conductive metallic materials and/or oneor more conductive non-metallic materials. For example, the first member102 may be fabricated using one or more conductive metals or metalalloys including, but not limited to: gold, silver, platinum, steel,stainless steel, magnesium, aluminum or alloys containing one or more ofthe aforementioned. In another example, the first member 102 may befabricated using one or more conductive non-metals including, but notlimited to: graphene, conductive polymers, polymers containing one ormore conductive materials (e.g., silver nanowires in a polymer matrix),or similar.

The first member 102 may have any physical size, shape, orconfiguration. For example, the first member 102 may include a physicalconfiguration that is circular, oval, rectangular, square, triangular,trapezoidal, or any combination thereof. The first member 102 may befabricated as a single-piece or may include a multi-piece assembly thatis affixed, bonded, or otherwise physically coupled or attached to forma unitary assembly to which individual components may be permanently ordetachably affixed. The first member can have any physical dimensionscapable of being borne, worn, transported, or otherwise carriedproximate the external surface (e.g., skin, clothing) of the deviceuser.

The first member 102 includes a floor portion 106 and a peripheral wallportion 108 that borders the floor portion 106. In embodiments, thefloor portion 106 and the wall portion 108 may be fabricated as aunitary structure. Although the floor portion 106 is depicted in FIG. 1as a flat surface forming the bottom of the electronic device 100, thefloor portion 106 may have any shape or physical configuration, such asconcave, convex, angled, or any combination thereof.

One or more transmitter/receivers 104 may be disposed in a cavity orsimilar void space 109 formed at least in part by the floor portion 106and the peripheral wall portion 108 of the first member 102. The one ormore transmitter/receivers 104 may include one or moretransmitter/receivers or transceivers capable of transmitting and/orreceiving radio frequency signals in one or more frequencies, frequencyranges, or frequency bands. In embodiments, the one or moretransmitter/receivers 104 may include, but are not limited to, one ormore IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi®) compliant transceivers, one or more BLUETOOTH®compliant transceivers, one or more BLUETOOTH low energy(BLE)/BLUETOOTH® Smart transceivers, one or more Near FieldCommunication (NFC) transceivers, one or more cellular communication(e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, CDMA, GSM) transceivers or combinations thereof.In at least some implementations, the one or more transceivers 104 maybe stand-alone components or may be included as a portion of a largersystem, for example a system on a chip (SoC) or similar processor-baseddevice. In some implementations, the one or more transmitter/receivers104 may include or may be coupled to one or more frequency diplexers topermit the generation and transmission/reception of information and/ordata over a plurality of different frequency ranges.

The second member 110 includes a first portion 112 that attenuatesincident radio frequency signals and a second portion 114 that iselectrically conductive and propagates incident radio frequency signals.The second member 110 is operably coupled to the first member 102 andmay partially or completely enclose the void space 109 formed in thefirst member 102. The second member 110 is electrically isolated fromthe first member 102 and the first member 102 and at least the secondportion 114 of the second member 110 may be physically separated by agap 130. The separation distance (i.e., the width of the gap) betweenthe first member 102 and the second portion 114 of the second member 110may be selected, in some implementations, based on the RF signalsproduced by the one or more transmitters/receivers 104. The gap 130between the first member 102 and the second portion 114 of the secondmember 110 may be about 0.2 millimeters (mm) or less; about 0.3 mm orless; about 0.5 mm or less; about 0.7 mm or less; about 0.9 mm or less;about 1.0 mm or less; about 1.3 mm or less; or about 1.5 mm or less. Insome implementations, the gap 130 between the first member 102 and thesecond portion 114 of the second member 110 may be selected or otherwisedetermined, in whole or in part, based on a desired resonant frequencyfor the RF signals produced or otherwise generated by the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104.

The first portion 112 of the second member 110 may include one or moreRF attenuating materials. For example, the first portion 112 of thesecond member 110 may include a display touch module containing a numberof transparent conductive layers having a reduced resistance. Suchtransparent conductive layers may include transparent conductivematerials such as indium tin oxide (ITO), transparent conductivepolymers, transparent structures (e.g., metallic nanostructures,conductive graphene nanostructures) embedded in a polymer matrix, or anycombination thereof. In addition, the first portion 112 of the secondmember 110 may include one or more glass layers (e.g., sapphire/aluminumoxide glass, GORILLA® glass) that contribute to the RF attenuatingproperties of the first portion 112 of the second member 110. Further,the first portion 112 of the second member 110 may include displaydevices, such as the anode and cathode found in organic light emittingdiode (OLED) displays.

The second portion 114 of the second member 110 may include one or moreelectrically conductive materials capable of supporting the propagationof the RF signals produced by the one or more transmitters/receivers104. All or a portion of the second portion 114 of the second member 110may be exposed, providing functional and/or aesthetic features to theelectronic device 100. In embodiments, all or a portion of the secondportion 114 of the second member 110 may be covered by one or morelayers or coatings of a material transparent to RF signals. Such layersor coatings may include one or more aesthetic coatings and/or one ormore functional coatings. In embodiments, all or a portion of the secondportion 114 of the second member 110 may include one or moreelectrically conductive metals or metal alloys including, but notlimited to: gold, silver, platinum, steel, stainless steel, magnesium,aluminum or alloys containing one or more of the aforementioned. Inanother example, all or a portion of the second member 110 may befabricated using one or more conductive non-metals including, but notlimited to: graphene, conductive polymers, polymers containing one ormore conductive materials (e.g., silver nanowires in a polymer matrix),or similar. In some implementations, the composition of all or a portionof the second portion 114 of the second member 110 may be based on thefrequency of the RF-signals produced or otherwise generated by the oneor more transmitters/receivers 104. In at least one embodiment, thesecond portion 114 of the second member 110 may include a watch bezel orsimilar conductive structure that partially or completely encircles theface of a digital or analog timepiece.

In some implementations, the second portion 114 of the second member 110may include a single, electrically conductive, segment such that thesegment forming the entire second portion 114 provides a radiatingsurface (e.g., an antenna) for a single-band RF signal provided orotherwise produced by the one or more transmitters/receivers 104. Inother implementations, the second portion 114 of the second member 110may be equally or unequally divided into a plurality of isolated,electrically conductive, segments such that each of the plurality ofsegments provides a respective radiating surface for respective ones ofa plurality of single-band RF signals provided or otherwise produced bythe one or more transmitters/receivers 104.

One or more electrically conductive members 120 conductively couples theone or more transmitters/receivers with the second portion 114 of thesecond member 110. The one or more electrically conductive members 120may include any number and/or combination of devices and/or systems toelectrically conductively couple the one or more transmitters/receivers104 to the second portion 114 of the second member 110. In someimplementations, the one or more transmitters/receivers 104 may generatea plurality of RF signals, each in a different frequency band. In suchimplementations, one or more electrically conductive members 120 may beconductively couple each of the one or more transmitters/receivers 104to one or more segments of the second portion 114 of the second member110. The electrically conductive members 120 may include one or morespring clips or similar tensioned electrically conductive memberscapable of providing an electrically conductive pathway from the one ormore transmitters/receivers 104 to all or a portion of the electricallyconductive second portion 114 of the second member 110.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a system that includesillustrative wearable electronic device 100 mounted on an arm 202 of adevice user, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As depicted in FIG. 2, the second portion 114 of the secondmember 110 radiates the RF signal 204 produced or otherwise generated bythe one or more transmitters/receivers 104 in the electronic device 100.As depicted in FIG. 2, one or more fasteners, pins, belts, straps ofsimilar attachment fixtures 206 may be operably coupled to theelectronic device 100. Such attachment fixtures 206 may cause theplacement of the electronic device proximate the body of the device user202.

Beneficially, the energy carried by the RF signal 204 is emitted by theelectronic device 100 in directions that minimize the detrimentaleffects of attenuation caused by components in the first portion 112 ofthe second member 100 as well as attenuation caused by the body of thedevice user 202. Such an arrangement may minimize any detrimental effectof the RF signals 204 on the device user 202 by causing the RF signal204 to radiate in an outward direction, away from the device user 202.Such an arrangement may also assist in minimizing the likelihood ofinterference with other electromechanical or electrical devices (e.g.,pacemakers) used by the device user 202 by directing the RF signals 204emitted by the electronic device in a direction away from the deviceuser 202.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of another illustrative wearable electronicdevice 300 that includes an electrically conductive shield member 302and a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna 304 disposed between thetransmitter/receiver 104 and the RF-attenuating first portion 112 of thesecond member 110, in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As depicted in FIG. 3, in embodiments, the shieldmember 302 may be electrically conductively coupled to all or a portionof the second portion 114 of the second member 110. In embodiments, theshield member 302 may be electrically isolated from the first portion112 of the second member 110. One or more electrically conductivemembers 306 conductively couples the one or more transmitters/receivers104 to the shield member 302 which, in turn, conductively couples to thesecond portion 114 of the second member 110. As depicted in FIG. 3, anRF signal 310 from the NFC antenna 304 may pass through the RFattenuating first portion 112 of the second member 110.

The shield member 302 may include any number and/or combination ofdevices and/or systems capable of electrically shielding at least aportion of the void space 109 in the first member from the RFattenuating first portion 112 of the second member 110 whileelectrically conductively coupling the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104 to the second portion 114 of the secondmember 110. In some implementations, the shield member 302 may befabricated using one or more electrically conductive metals and/or oneor more electrically conductive metal alloys. Examples include, but arenot limited to, copper, silver, gold, platinum, steel, stainless steel,aluminum, and/or alloys thereof. In some implementations, the shieldmember 302 may be fabricated using one or more conductive non-metallicmaterials, such as graphene, or one or more materials containingelectrically conductive materials, such as metallic nanowires. Theshield member 302 is electrically conductively coupled to the secondportion 114 of the second member 110. In some implementations, theconductive coupling between the shield member and the second portion 114of the second member 110 may include one or more electrically conductivebonding agents, such as an electrically conductive adhesive or similar.In some implementations, the conductive coupling between the shieldmember 302 and the second portion 114 of the second member 110 mayinclude one or more fasteners, such as one or more electricallyconductive spring clips, screws, bolts, or similar detachably attachableor non-detachably attachable fasteners. In some implementations, theconductive coupling between the shield member 302 and the second portion114 of the second member 110 may include mechanical attachment, such asby welding, soldering or brazing.

The NFC antenna 304 may include any number and/or combination of devicesand/or systems capable of radiating RF electromagnetic energy 310 in theform of one or more signals at or about one or more NFC frequencies,such as around 13.56 megahertz (MHz). Since NFC is intended to operateat very short distances (e.g., 2 to 4 centimeters), the attenuationprovided by the first portion 112 of the second member 110 is acceptableand the NFC antenna 304 may be disposed between the upper surface of theshield member 302 and the first portion 112 of the second member 110.The shield member 302 works as a natural Faraday cage for the firstportion 112 of the second member 110 to mitigate the losses and ferritematerial that is part of the NFC antenna, and also is part of a singleand/or multi-band antenna that radiates together with 114.

The electrically conductive member 306 conductively coupling the one ormore transmitters/receivers 104 to the shield member 302 may include anynumber and/or combination of devices and/or systems capable oftransmitting or otherwise communicating the RF signal 204 from the oneor more transmitters/receivers 104 to the second portion 114 of thesecond member 110. In some implementations, the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104 may generate a plurality of RF signals, eachin a different frequency band. In such implementations, one or moreelectrically conductive members 306 may be conductively couple each ofthe one or more transmitters/receivers 104 to one or more segments ofthe second portion 114 of the second member 110. The electricallyconductive members 306 may include one or more spring clips or similartensioned electrically conductive members capable of providing anelectrically conductive pathway from the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104 to all or a portion of the electricallyconductive second portion 114 of the second member 110. In someimplementations, the one or more electrically conductive members 306 mayalso beneficially provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection forat least a portion of the electronic components included in the wearableelectronic device 300. In some implementations, the one or moreelectrically conductive members 306 may also beneficially provide anantenna tuning element for use with the transmitter/receiver 104.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of another illustrative wearable electronicdevice 400 that includes a second member 110 that having second portion114 that includes a plurality of segments 402A, 402B (collectively,“segments 402”) and a plurality of electrically conductive members 404A,404B (collectively, “electrically conductive member 404”) electricallyconductively coupling the one or more transmitters/receivers 104 torespective ones of the segments 402A, 402B, in accordance with at leastone embodiment of the present disclosure. In some implementations, theone or more transmitters/receivers 104 may generate or otherwise producea plurality of RF signals 406A, 406B (collectively, “RF signals 406”).Thus, in embodiments, each of some or all of the segments 402 mayreceive a different RF signal 406 from a respective one of the one ormore transmitters/receivers 104. In some implementations, some or all ofthe segments 402 may emit/receive more than one RF signal 406. Forexample, some or all of the segments 402 may emit/receive a first RFsignal 406A in a first frequency band and a second RF signal 406B in asecond frequency band. Such multi-band signals may be generated, forexample, using one or more diplexers to combine the different frequencyRF signals 402 to produce a single multi-band signal.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B is a cross-section of an illustrative wearableelectronic device 500 in the form of a wristwatch that includes a shieldmember 302 disposed between the transmitter/receiver 104 and the secondmember 110, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As depicted in FIG. 5A, the illustrative watch 500A mayinclude an energy storage device 502, such as a primary(non-rechargeable) battery, a secondary (rechargeable) battery, asupercapacitor, an ultracapacitor, or similar energy storage device 502.The illustrative watch 5004 may also include a lower RF shield member504 disposed beneath the one or more transmitters/receivers 104 and anupper RF shield member 506 disposed above the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104. Also as depicted in FIG. 5A, a gap fillingmaterial 508 that is transparent to RF signals may be disposed in wholeor in part within all or a portion of the gap 130. The use of such a gapfilling material 508 may beneficially improve the structural integrityof the watch 500A and may provide a water-proof watch enclosure.

FIG. 6 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method 600 forproducing an electronic device 100 that includes a housing that includesa first member 102 that includes a transmitter/receiver 104 and a secondmember 110 that includes a first RF-attenuating portion 112 and a secondconductive portion 114 that is separated from the first member 102 by agap 130, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method 600 commences at 602.

At 604, one or more transmitters/receivers 104 are disposed in a firstmember 102 of a multi-piece housing. In some implementations, the one ormore transmitters/receivers 104 may include a plurality oftransmitters/receivers 104 at least some of which may generate orotherwise produce RF signals at different frequencies or in differentfrequency bands. In implementations, the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104 may be stand-alone devices or may be aportion of a larger, multi-function, device such as a system on a chip(SoC) or similar.

The first member 102 may have any shape, size, or configuration. In atleast some implementations, the first member 102 may include a floormember 106 that may be partially or completely surrounded by aperipheral wall 108 disposed about all or a portion of the perimeter ofthe floor member 106. Together, the floor member 106 and the peripheralwall 108 may define a void space 109 in the first member 102. The one ormore transmitters/receivers may be disposed partially or completelywithin the void space 109 formed in the first member 102. In oneexample, the first member may include a watch case that, when attachedto a band, is worn about the device user's wrist such that the deviceuser's wrist is proximate the lower surface of the bottom member 106.

At 606, a second member 110 that includes a first, RF-attenuating,portion 112 and a second, electrically conductive, portion 114 may beoperably coupled to the first member 102. In some implementations, thesecond member 110 forms a portion of the exterior surface of thewearable electronic device 100. In some implementations, the first,RF-attenuating, portion 112 may include a number of conductivestructures, for example a number of conductive layers. In one example,the first, RF-attenuating portion 112 may include a display touch modulethat includes a number of transparent conductor layers. In anotherexample, the first, RF-attenuating portion 112 may include one or moreferrite devices, such as a ferrite containing NFC antenna that providesRF-attenuation.

In some implementations, the second member 110 may be rigidly affixed tothe first member 102. In some implementations, the second member 110 maybe detachably attached to the first member 102. In some implementationsthe second member 110 may be moveably or otherwise displaceably attachedto the first member 110. In some implementations, the second member 110may be disposed distal from the user when the wearable electronic deviceis worn by the device user.

At 608, a gap 130 is placed or otherwise formed between the first member102 and the second portion 114 of the second member 110. The gap 130 maymaintain a spacing of from about 0.5 millimeters to about 1 millimeterbetween the first member 102 and the second portion 114 of the secondmember 110. In some implementations, the spacing and/or distancedbetween bye first member 102 and the second portion 114 of the secondmember 110 formed or otherwise produced by the gap 130 may be determinedbased on the frequency of the RF signals 204 produced by the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104. In at least some implementations, a materialmay partially or completely fill the gap 130. In such implementations,the material may be selected to provide appropriate tuning parametersfor adjusting or otherwise tuning the frequency of the antenna providedby the second member 110.

At 610, one or more electrically conductive members 120 may conductivelycouple the one or more transmitters/receivers 104 to some or all of thesecond portion 114 of the second member 110. In some implementations,each of a plurality of electrically conductive members 120 mayconductively couple the one or more transmitters/receivers 104 torespective ones of a corresponding plurality of segments forming thesecond portion 114 of the second member 110. In embodiments, thesegments forming the second portion 114 of the second member 110 may beelectrically isolated. In embodiments, each of the plurality of segmentssecond portion 114 of the second member 110 may serve as an antenna forrespective ones of a plurality of RF signals provided by the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104. The method 600 concludes at 612.

FIG. 7 is a high-level flow diagram of an illustrative method 700 forproducing an electronic device 100 that includes a shield member 302conductively coupled to at least some of the second portion 114 of thesecond member 110 and includes a number of electrically conductivemembers 120 conductively coupling the one or more transmitters/receivers104 to the shield member 302, in accordance with at least one embodimentof the present disclosure. The method 700 commences at 702.

At 704, a shield member 302 may be conductively coupled to some or allof the second portion 114 of the second member 110. The shield member302 may include or may be fabricated using one or more electricallyconductive materials such as one or more metals or metal alloys.

In embodiments, the shield member 302 may include a plurality ofsegments or segmented sections. In such embodiments, some or all of thenumber of segments may be physically coupled together. In suchembodiments, some or all of the number of segments may be electricallyisolated from at least some of the remaining segments forming the shieldmember 302. In such embodiments, each of the plurality of segmentsforming the shield member 302 may electrically conductively couple torespective ones of a plurality of segments forming the second portion114 of the second member 110.

At 706, the one or more electrically conductive members 120 mayconductively couple the one or more transmitters/receivers 104 to theshield member 302. In some implementations, each of a plurality ofelectrically conductive members 120 may be conductively coupled torespective ones of the plurality of segments forming the shield member302. The method 700 concludes at 708.

Additionally, operations for the embodiments have been further describedwith reference to the above figures and accompanying examples. Some ofthe figures may include a logic flow. Although such figures presentedherein may include a particular logic flow, it can be appreciated thatthe logic flow merely provides an example of how the generalfunctionality described herein can be implemented. Further, the givenlogic flow does not necessarily have to be executed in the orderpresented unless otherwise indicated. In addition, the given logic flowmay be implemented by a hardware element, a software element executed bya processor, or any combination thereof. The embodiments are not limitedto this context.

Various features, aspects, and embodiments have been described herein.The features, aspects, and embodiments are susceptible to combinationwith one another as well as to variation and modification, as will beunderstood by those having skill in the art. The present disclosureshould, therefore, be considered to encompass such combinations,variations, and modifications. Thus, the breadth and scope of thepresent invention should not be limited by any of the above-describedexemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with thefollowing claims and their equivalents.

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used asterms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention,in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalentsof the features shown and described (or portions thereof), and it isrecognized that various modifications are possible within the scope ofthe claims. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all suchequivalents. Various features, aspects, and embodiments have beendescribed herein. The features, aspects, and embodiments are susceptibleto combination with one another as well as to variation andmodification, as will be understood by those having skill in the art.The present disclosure should, therefore, be considered to encompasssuch combinations, variations, and modifications.

As described herein, various embodiments may be implemented usinghardware elements, software elements, or any combination thereof.Examples of hardware elements may include processors, microprocessors,circuits, circuit elements (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors,inductors, coils, transmission lines, slow-wave transmission lines,transformers, and so forth), integrated circuits, application specificintegrated circuits (ASIC), wireless receivers, transmitters/receivers,transceivers, smart antenna arrays for beamforming and electronic beamsteering used for wireless broadband communication or radar sensors forautonomous driving or as gesture sensors replacing a keyboard device fortactile internet experience, screening sensors for securityapplications, medical sensors (cancer screening), programmable logicdevices (PLD), digital signal processors (DSP), field programmable gatearray (FPGA), logic gates, registers, semiconductor device, chips,microchips, chip sets, and so forth.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments. The followingexamples of the present disclosure may comprise subject material suchdevices, systems, methods, and means for providing a wearable electronicdevice 100 that includes a first member 102 and a second member 110. Thesecond member 110 may include a first, RF-attenuating, portion 112 and asecond, electrically conductive, portion 114. One or moretransmitters/receivers 104 disposed in the first member 102 isconductively coupled to the second portion 114 of the second member 110such that RF signals 204 generated by the one or moretransmitters/receivers 104 are emitted/received from the second portion114 of the second member 110, avoiding the attenuation of the firstportion 112 of the second member 110 and minimizing the incidence of theRF signals on the device user. Such an arrangement beneficially improvesthe energy efficiency of the electronic device and minimizes the impactof the emitted RF signals on the device user.

According to example 1, there is provided a wearable electronic device.The wearable electronic device may include a multi-piece housing thatincludes at least a first member worn proximate a user's body, and anoperably coupled, electrically isolated, second member, where the secondmember includes at least a first portion that includes a material thatattenuates radio frequency energy and a second portion that includes anelectrically conductive material; and where a gap physically separatesthe first member from at least the second portion of the second member.The wearable electronic device may also include a transmitters/receiverdisposed at least partially within the first member and at least oneconductive member conductively coupling the transmitters/receiver to thesecond portion of the second member.

Example 2 may include elements of example 1 where the material thatattenuates radio frequency energy may include at least one layer ofconductive material.

Example 3 may include elements of example 2 where the at least one layerof conductive material may form at least a portion of a display touchmodule (DTM).

Example 4 may include elements of example 3 where the at least oneconductive member may include a conductive shield member disposedbetween the first member and the second member, the conductive shieldmember electrically conductively coupled to the second portion of thesecond member and an electrically conductive member conductivelycoupling the conductive shield member to the transmitter/receiver.

Example 5 may include elements of example 4 where the conductive shieldmember may be disposed between the display touch module and thetransmitter/receiver.

Example 6 may include elements of example 5, and may additionallyinclude a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna, wherein the conductiveshield member is disposed between the NFC antenna and thetransmitter/receiver.

Example 7 may include elements of example 4 where thetransmitter/receiver may include at least one frequency diplexer and thesecond portion of the second member comprises a multi-band antenna.

Example 8 may include elements of any of examples 1 through 7 where themulti-piece housing may include a wristwatch, the first member comprisesat least a portion of a case of the wristwatch and the second membercomprises at least a portion of a bezel of the wristwatch.

Example 9 may include elements of any of examples 1 through 7 where thegap physically separating the first member from the second portion ofthe second member may include a physical gap having a dimension of fromabout 0.5 millimeters (mm) to about 1 mm.

Example 10 may include elements of any of examples 1 through 6 where thetransmitter/receiver may include a transceiver; and where the secondportion of the second member may include a single band antenna tuned foruse with at least one of: a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)transceiver; a BLUETOOTH® transceiver; or an IEEE 802.11 compliant(Wi-Fi) transceiver.

According to example 11, there is provided a radio frequency (RF) signaltransmission method using a wearable electronic device. The method mayinclude disposing a transmitter/receiver at least partially in a firstmember of a wearable multi-piece electronic device housing; operablycoupling a second member of the multi-piece electronic device housing tothe first member, the second member electrically isolated from the firstmember, the second member including at least a first portion thatincludes a material that attenuates radio frequency energy and a secondportion that includes an electrically conductive material; separating atleast the second portion of the second member from the first member viaa gap; and conductively coupling the second portion of the second memberto the transmitter/receiver via at least one conductive member.

Example 12 may include elements of example 11 where operably coupling asecond member of the multi-piece electronic device housing to the firstmember, the second member including at least a first portion thatincludes a material that attenuates RF energy may include operablycoupling a second member of the multi-piece electronic device housing tothe first member, the first portion of the second member including atleast one layer of conductive material that attenuates the RF energy.

Example 13 may include elements of example 12 where operably coupling asecond member of the multi-piece electronic device housing to the firstmember, the first portion of the second member including at least onelayer of conductive material that attenuates the RF energy may includeoperably coupling a second member of the multi-piece electronic devicehousing to the first member, the first portion of the second memberincluding at least one display touch module (DTM).

Example 14 may include elements of example 13 where conductivelycoupling the second portion of the second member to thetransmitter/receiver via at least one conductive member may includeconductively coupling the second portion of the second member to thetransmitter/receiver via a conductive shield member disposed between thefirst member and the second member, the conductive shield memberelectrically conductively coupled to the second portion of the secondmember and an electrically conductive member conductively coupling theconductive shield member to the transmitter/receiver.

Example 15 may include elements of example 14 where conductivelycoupling the second portion of the second member to thetransmitter/receiver via a conductive shield member disposed between thefirst member and the second member may include conductively coupling thesecond portion of the second member to the transmitter/receiver via aconductive shield member disposed between the display touch module andthe transmitter/receiver.

Example 16 may include elements of example 15, and the method mayadditionally include disposing a Near Field Communication (NFC) antennabetween the display touch module and the conductive shield member.

Example 17 may include elements of example 14 where disposing atransmitter/receiver at least partially in a first member of a wearablemulti-piece electronic device housing may include disposing atransmitter/receiver that includes at least one frequency diplexer atleast partially in the first member of the wearable multi-pieceelectronic device housing the transmitter/receiver.

Example 18 may include elements of any of examples 11 through 17 wheredisposing a transmitter/receiver at least partially in a first member ofa wearable multi-piece electronic device housing may include disposingthe transmitter/receiver at least partially in the first member of awristwatch, the first member including at least a portion of a case ofthe wristwatch and the second member including at least a portion of abezel of the wristwatch.

Example 19 may include elements of any of examples 11 through 17 whereseparating at least the second portion of the second member from thefirst member via a gap may include separating at least the secondportion of the second member from the first member via a gap having aseparation distance of from about 0.5 millimeters (mm) to about 1 mmbetween the first member and the second portion of the second member.

Example 20 may include elements of any of examples 11 through 16 wheredisposing a transmitter/receiver at least partially in a first member ofa wearable multi-piece electronic device housing may include disposing atransceiver at least partially in the first member of the wearablemulti-piece electronic device housing; and where operably coupling thesecond member of the multi-piece electronic device housing to the firstmember, the second member including a second portion that includes anelectrically conductive material may include operably coupling thesecond member of the multi-piece electronic device housing to the firstmember, the second member including a second portion that includes asingle band antenna tuned for use with at least one of: a globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) transceiver; a BLUETOOTH®transceiver; or an IEEE 802.11 compliant (Wi-Fi) transceiver.

According to example 21, there is provided a radio frequency (RF) signaltransmission system using a wearable electronic device. The system mayinclude a means for disposing a transmitter/receiver at least partiallyin a first member of a wearable multi-piece electronic device housing, ameans for operably coupling a second member of the multi-pieceelectronic device housing to the first member, the second memberelectrically isolated from the first member, the second member includingat least a first portion that includes a material that attenuates radiofrequency energy and a second portion that includes an electricallyconductive material, a means for separating at least the second portionof the second member from the first member via a gap; and a means forconductively coupling the second portion of the second member to thetransmitter/receiver via at least one conductive member.

Example 22 may include elements of example 21 where the means foroperably coupling a second member of the multi-piece electronic devicehousing to the first member, the second member including at least afirst portion that includes a material that attenuates RF energy mayinclude a means for operably coupling a second member of the multi-pieceelectronic device housing to the first member, the first portion of thesecond member including at least one layer of conductive material thatattenuates the RF energy.

Example 23 may include elements of example 22 where the means foroperably coupling a second member of the multi-piece electronic devicehousing to the first member, the first portion of the second memberincluding at least one layer of conductive material that attenuates theRF energy may include a means for operably coupling the second member ofthe multi-piece electronic device housing to the first member, the firstportion of the second member including at least one display touch module(DTM).

Example 24 may include elements of example 23 where the means forconductively coupling the second portion of the second member to thetransmitter/receiver via at least one conductive member may include ameans for conductively coupling the second portion of the second memberto the transmitter/receiver via a conductive shield member disposed atleast partially between the first member and the second member, theconductive shield member electrically conductively coupled to the secondportion of the second member and an electrically conductive member meansfor conductively coupling the conductive shield member to thetransmitter/receiver.

Example 25 may include elements of example 24 where the means forconductively coupling the second portion of the second member to thetransmitter/receiver via a conductive shield member disposed between thefirst member and the second member may include a means for conductivelycoupling the second portion of the second member to thetransmitter/receiver via a conductive shield member disposed at leastpartially between the display touch module and the transmitter/receiver.

Example 26 may include elements of example 25, and may additionallyinclude a means for disposing a Near Field Communication (NFC) antennabetween the display touch module and the conductive shield member.

Example 27 may include elements of example 24 where the means fordisposing a transmitter/receiver at least partially in a first member ofa wearable multi-piece electronic device housing may include a means fordisposing a transmitter/receiver that includes at least one frequencydiplexer at least partially in the first member of the wearablemulti-piece electronic device housing the transmitter/receiver.

Example 28 may include elements of any of examples 21 through 27 wherethe means for disposing a transmitter/receiver at least partially in afirst member of a wearable multi-piece electronic device housing mayinclude a means for disposing the transmitter/receiver at leastpartially in the first member of a wristwatch, the first memberincluding at least a portion of a case of the wristwatch and the secondmember including at least a portion of a bezel of the wristwatch.

Example 29 may include elements of any of examples 21 through 27 wherethe means for separating at least the second portion of the secondmember from the first member via a gap may include a means forseparating at least the second portion of the second member from thefirst member via a gap having a separation distance of from about 0.5millimeters (mm) to about 1 mm between the first member and the secondportion of the second member.

Example 30 may include elements of any of examples 21 through 26 wherethe means for disposing a transmitter/receiver at least partially in afirst member of a wearable multi-piece electronic device housingcomprises a means for disposing a transceiver at least partially in thefirst member of the wearable multi-piece electronic device housing andwhere the means for operably coupling the second member of themulti-piece electronic device housing to the first member, the secondmember including a second portion that includes an electricallyconductive material comprises: a means for operably coupling the secondmember of the multi-piece electronic device housing to the first member,the second member including a second portion that includes a single bandantenna tuned for use with at least one of: a global navigationsatellite system (GNSS) transceiver; a BLUETOOTH® transceiver; or anIEEE 802.11 compliant (Wi-Fi) transceiver.

Example 31 may include elements of any of examples 21 through 26 wherethe means for conductively coupling the second portion of the secondmember to the transmitter via at least one conductive member comprises:a means for conductively coupling a first segment of the second portionof the second member to the transmitter to transmit/receive RF signalsin a first frequency band; and a means for conductively coupling asecond segment of the second portion of the second member to thetransmitter to transmit/receive RF signals in a second frequency bandthat is different from the first frequency band. The terms andexpressions which have been employed herein are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the useof such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described (or portions thereof), and it is recognizedthat various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such equivalents.

1.-25. (canceled)
 26. A wearable electronic device, comprising: ahousing including at least: a top portion including: a touch screendisplay; and a conductive structure at least partially encircling thetouch screen display; and a bottom portion to be worn about a user'swrist; a battery; a band; one or more circuits to transmit one or moreradio frequency (RF) signals, the one or more circuits at leastpartially within the housing; and a processor; wherein the conductivestructure of the top portion serves as an antenna for at least one ofthe RF transceivers.
 27. The wearable electronic device of claim 26,wherein the conductive structure comprises stainless steel.
 28. Thewearable electronic device of claim 26, wherein the wearable electronicdevice comprises a wristwatch.
 29. The wearable electronic device ofclaim 26, wherein at least one of the one or more RF signals comprises aBluetooth signal.
 30. The wearable electronic device of claim 26,wherein at least one of the one or more RF signals comprises a WiFisignal.
 31. The wearable electronic device of claim 26, wherein at leastone of the one or more RF signals comprises a 3G or LTE signal.
 32. Thewearable electronic device of claim 26, wherein at least one of the oneor more RF signals comprises a near field communication (NFC) signal.33. The wearable electronic device of claim 26, wherein the touch screendisplay comprises an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.